Supported local bus services

What are supported local bus services?

Most buses in Essex are run by commercial busineses without subsidy from the local authority. Essex County Council refers to the running of these services as being "on a commercial basis". These companies range from small, family-run businesses to big multi-national companies. You can see a list of local bus operators in Essex by clicking here.

A small percentage of bus services or routes are run with financial support from Essex County Council (ECC). You can find the latest list of services at the bottom of this webpage.

ECC Bus service consultations look to understand the impact of service changes to people using the service as well as ensuring the service meets the criteria set out by the Bus Strategy "Getting Around in Essex". You can see details of the Getting Around in Essex Strategy by clicking here.

What can I find on these pages?

On these pages you can find the following information:

Bus services or routes which are run with financial support from ECC

2017 Consultations on individual service changes (including services that are being consulted on for potential withdrawal or service reduction).

Timetable amendments or new timetables following a tender process completion w.e.f 27 August 2017

Services to be withdrawn following a tender process w.e.f 27 August 2017

Ongoing consultations

Consultation - Service 15 (Colchester – Marks Tey)

Operated by: Hedingham Omnibus

Consultation open: 04 September – 16 October 2017

Background: The service has been operating the current timetable for over a year now but passenger numbers have been disappointing.

Proposal: The Council is considering reverting this bus service its previous route,(Colchester, Oaklands Avenue – Colchester North Station), providing a broadly ½ hour service 05.25 – 07.10 and 17.55 – 19.40

Telephone 0345 743 0430 and ask for assistance in completing the survey

Consultation - Service SB39 (Boxted - Colcester)

Operated by: Colchester Community Services

Consultation open: 04 September – 16 October 2017

Background: Since October 2016, ECC has provided this service on a trial basis. Passenger numbers have been low and the cost per passenger journey is more than the £5.00 per passenger maximum level the council will support after fares are taken into account. (The policy can be found at: www.essex.gov.uk/busreview)

2017 Closed consultations

In 2015, Essex County Council began a thorough review of its financial support for those local bus services that it pays for across the County. This consultation is part of the second round of the review and looks at 8 services in the Maldon Area where the current contracts end in 2017.

For a list of the services included in this consultation please see the document section below.

Outcome: You will also find the latest list of bus services or routes which are run with financial support from ECC following the latest local bus tenders below.